VdP des Collines Rhodaniennes

Perched above the increasingly precarious Autoroute A7, these ancient “Vienne” vines host the renaissance of some of France’s oldest plots. Seyssuel labours patiently through the labyrinth of the INAO in a quest for appellation status. Stéphane labours equally patiently on these steep mica-schist soils. Ten years ago he experimented with stems; this year, despite the near perfection of the vintage, there has been complete de-stemming. This wine always haunts aromatically – violets and crushed rock of the sepulchre – while the palate is more forward, ripe blueberry and myrtle providing the most immediate Proustian recollection. Drink 2018-2025.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer

New labelling laws mean this wine is now referred to as IGP (Indication Géographique Protegée) rather than Vin de Pays. If the granting of Appellation status still proves elusive, the wine does not fail to please, with classy Viognier writ large, but with a certain additional power and precision on the finish, which bodes well.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer

Les Vins de Vienne has almost out-grown their progenitors, in the sense that their négociant arm is now far more significant than that of Messrs Cuilleron, Villard and Gaillard. If the move from the precipitous and chaotic Seyssuel winery has taken a little romance from the project, the brilliant winemaking of Pascal Lombard has ensured an increase in quality and the forging of a distinct identity, important in what may once have been conceived as a somewhat amorphous project.

Despite the relative youth of the vines, which one must remember when rehearsing the long history of the vineyards themselves, the Sotanum is an extraordinarily concentrated wine; dark berried fruit shares the palate with notes of bitter chocolate, peat and crushed blackberries. Graphite and even hints of charcoal underline the individuality of this very special plot. The story is, of course, all in the sub-plot, which is pure schist.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer, February 2012

If one believes the old adage about imitation and flattery, then Les Vins de Vienne should be justifiably proud of the numerous growers now making wine from the ancient vineyards of Seyssuel, just to the north of the old Roman town of Vienne. The role of the founders, Messrs Gaillard, Cuilleron and Villard is now one of benevolent consultancy and today it is winemaker Pascal Lombard who is guiding the style and building the reputation. In the manner of the Sorcerers Apprentice, the off-spring has now out-grown all three of its progenitors, but this does not seem to have had a detrimental effect on quality, particularly with the Domaine wines, the best of which are offered below.

Stéphane is confident that Seyssuel will eventually get its own Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée, although not, it seems, before having to pass through a stage as a humble Côtes du Rhône. No matter; he has done more than anyone to raise the profile of these rediscovered ancient vines. Their soils resemble Côte Blonde and their aspect approximates that of Hermitage. The happy coincidence of these features has fathered a wine of aromatic harmony and great latent power.
Simon Field MW - Rhône Buyer

Stéphane has come a long way in the 12 years or so that I have known him: he now has two children, an enviable reputation and a construction project to the south of Ampuis which will result in a winery to rival that of Messrs Guigal. He has also been buying land, which is no mean feat in Côte Rôtie. The challenge of 2013 centred on the cool weather in the middle of the season. Very late green harvesting and then a rapid harvest before the rains in October were key. I recall visiting during the harvest and witnessing a maelstrom of carefully choreographed activity, if you will pardon the apparent contradiction. The effort has certainly paid off.